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[Viral_Jim]

So, due to the BMW debacle, I am back in the Desmond for at least a while. I'd already popped a new battery and battery connector on the old girl so I know she started, took her out yesterday to check the tyre pressures and provide the obligatory Italian tune-up. Then this morning, 5.50am hopped in. 3hrs and a fautless 90miles later and I'm in the offfice.

I had genuinely forgotten what a comfy old bus she is! Nice heated seat, great stereo & phone integration and a really soft ride on the 16" wheels. Its made me realise just how much I'm going to have to spend to fund something better. Certainly north of £5k and probably up near £10k. It still climbs up and down the gearbox far more than I'd like, but for the time being I can forgive it that!

A decent elite v6 may well be the way to go when all the dust has settled. If I can ever find one 

[X30XE]

*cough* E38 *cough* 

[Viral_Jim]

Yup, theres a blood lovely 540i touring up at the minute. SHame its 6k 

[X30XE]

Yup, theres a blood lovely 540i touring up at the minute. SHame its 6k 

That's an e39... but you knew that I'm guessing. 

[Viral_Jim]

I misread your post actually, but therin lies part of the problem.

If it was a big comfy saloon I was after, the list is long.

Jag: S-type, XF, XJ
BMW: 6/7 series, e39
Lexus LS 400/430/460
Honda Legend
Volvo s80

etc etc

Big comfy large CC petrol estate cars on the other hand, things are a bit more sparse.

A post facelift w211 could be an option, but they're not something I know a lot about.

[tunnie]

A post facelift w211 could be an option, but they're not something I know a lot about.[/highlight]

I really like the W211 facelift ones (around 56 onwards) - A went to see a few E320 CDI's estates, but what appeared 'mint' on adverts were dogs on arrival. Sad as I think they are a good looking car, but they do carry a heavy premium 

[Viral_Jim]

They do, but then again, I think used cars of late have either risen in price, or become worse for the money you're expected to pay. Depending on how you look at it. Not so long ago (2-3yrs or thereabouts), there were a plethora of very acceptable, average mileage (60-90k) cars in the £1-2.5k bracket.

Recent examples for me include:
- 2.5 V6 Jag x-type, 1 owner, 44k, almost immaculate with one lady owner - £2600.
- Saab 9-5 aero, 1 owner + dealer, 65k, again unmarked inside and out £2150
- Omega CDX estate, 1 owner + dealer, 50k, £1400, excellent condition inside and out (far too expensive by the standards of the forum but objectively not bad imho)

These sort of cars just don't seem to be out there now, most in the <£3k bracket seem to be either dogs, not well maintained/serviced or have been to the moon and back - twice. :/

I am not sure what it is, but certainly seems to be the case. Thinking about it, I sold the Saab at 80k, for £75 more than I paid for it, and lost about £400 on the x-type - sold with over 70k on it.

Perhaps I was just lucky?

I really like the W211 facelift ones (around 56 onwards) - A went to see a few E320 CDI's estates, but what appeared 'mint' on adverts were dogs on arrival

How did you find the interior quality/seat comfort? I've never sat in one, but the seats look pretty Omega-ish (wide, comfy and not in the least bit sporty ).

Another school of thought for me was to buy a <3y/o V70 D5 with low mileage (20k maybe). It seems these cars hold on to their value like a yorkshireman with deep pockets and short arms! Probably spend not a lot more than running a shed in the long run.

[tunnie]

I found the W211 very comfy, far better than W212 when it had to be AMG seat spec. I'm not a huge fan of the later Merc interiors, I far prefer the Estates of 06-09 era and the CLS of the same vintage.

Have a look at CLS 320's - Bit like Marmite but I really, really liked them. I drove one and the V6 CDI engine is a peach from drivers point of view, can't tell it's a diesel.

But I struggled to find spec I wanted, HID's were a must but an optional extra. You can tell externally by the oval fog lights, rather than 'Spot' ones. But for the same money as my 13 Plate VW, I was looking at 07/08 vintage CLS with far more miles on them.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

They do, but then again, I think used cars of late have either risen in price, or become worse for the money you're expected to pay. Depending on how you look at it. Not so long ago (2-3yrs or thereabouts), there were a plethora of very acceptable, average mileage (60-90k) cars in the £1-2.5k bracket.

Recent examples for me include:
- 2.5 V6 Jag x-type, 1 owner, 44k, almost immaculate with one lady owner - £2600.
- Saab 9-5 aero, 1 owner + dealer, 65k, again unmarked inside and out £2150
- Omega CDX estate, 1 owner + dealer, 50k, £1400, excellent condition inside and out (far too expensive by the standards of the forum but objectively not bad imho)

These sort of cars just don't seem to be out there now, most in the <£3k bracket seem to be either dogs, not well maintained/serviced or have been to the moon and back - twice. :/

I am not sure what it is, but certainly seems to be the case. Thinking about it, I sold the Saab at 80k, for £75 more than I paid for it, and lost about £400 on the x-type - sold with over 70k on it.

Perhaps I was just lucky?

I really like the W211 facelift ones (around 56 onwards) - A went to see a few E320 CDI's estates, but what appeared 'mint' on adverts were dogs on arrival

How did you find the interior quality/seat comfort? I've never sat in one, but the seats look pretty Omega-ish (wide, comfy and not in the least bit sporty ).

Another school of thought for me was to buy a <3y/o V70 D5 with low mileage (20k maybe). It seems these cars hold on to their value like a yorkshireman with deep pockets and short arms! Probably spend not a lot more than running a shed in the long run.

The Jaguar Mondeo is a total dog.

Pay' buttons' only.

[citroenguy]

I bet that a Peugeot 407 or Citroen C5 with the 3.0 V6 could be had for very little money.
Available with manual or 6-speed auto.


PS: inb4 comments about "shite" French cars 

[Viral_Jim]

The Jaguar Mondeo is a total dog.

Pay' buttons' only.

SWMBO really liked it. I didn't drive it unless under duress.

However it cost me nothing in nearly 30k other than servicing, a £45 lambda sensor and about £400 in depreciation. There's many wishing they could get off so lightly

[Nick W]

I bet that a Peugeot 407 or Citroen C5 with the 3.0 V6 could be had for very little money.
Potentially Available with manual or 6-speed auto.

fixed that for you. I wonder just how few V6 ones they actually sold?

[YZ250]

Regarding the OP, I can relate to the comfy old bus. When I've been using the bmw for a few days and then get back in the Omega it feels like the tyres are flat. The bmw is comfy but has bullet hard M suspension so the Omega is like wafting about on an air bed compared to that. 

[citroenguy]

I bet that a Peugeot 407 or Citroen C5 with the 3.0 V6 could be had for very little money.
Potentially Available with manual or 6-speed auto.

fixed that for you. I wonder just how few V6 ones they actually sold?

They´re quite common over here atleast..

[Viral_Jim]

Speaking of French. Here's one for the masochistic. Or perhaps someone looking to strike up a meaningful relationship with their local RAC man. 


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612010256895